The People's National Movement (PNM) internal election race is overheating. After a seven candidate race for political leader the race is now down to a run-off election tomorrow. The run-off has created an environment ripe for voter migration from seven candidates to a now narrow choice of two candidates.
The showdown between Tracey Davidson Celestine and Kelvin Charles is stirring up heavy political activity which seems to be going a little overboard for an internal race between members of the same organisation. The scenario has caused some candidates to unite their support base to better the chances of a preferred candidate winning.
Rennie Dumas has openly endorsed his support for Davidson Celestine and it is rumoured that Dr Denise Tsoi-a-Fatt Angus may also be supporting her. It is also rumoured that some of the other former candidates for political leader and chairman are also getting on board with Davidson Celestine.
This amalgamation has triggered a most disturbing social media campaign showing Mrs Celestine, Rennie Dumas and Mrs Tsoi-a-Fatt Angus in a bed together under covers titled "Politics makes strange bedfellows."
This was a most disturbing sight especially since Facebook is where we have most of our young people engaged. If Kelvin Charles or any of his associates are responsible for this meme then he needs to pull the meme off immediately. This type of advertising sinks to the realm of gutter politics as it seeks to attack a person's moral values, personal character and physical identity.
The election is important to the people of Tobago as there is a legitimate expectation that the political leader of the PNM will win the Tobago House of Assembly elections and become the Chief Secretary. The PNM has to be mindful that this type of internal character assassination will not work in the party's favour after the election in terms of healing and uniting the party to fight the upcoming THA elections.
The stakes are definitely high in this election as major investors seem to have their eyes on Tobago. The PNM has to ensure that a clean and clear election takes place to protect their public image and attractiveness.
Martin Huggins,
Arima